Naval Academy ahead in poll for Maryland's top attraction

The plebes march out onto Tecumseh Court before being released during Parents Weekend at the Naval Academy. (Matthew Cole / Capital Gazette)

Go Navy, beat Army!

Go Navy, beat … Chestertown?

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As of Thursday afternoon, the Naval Academy had the top spot in an online contest where people are voting for their favorite Maryland attraction. But votes are still coming in — the 10Best Readers' Choice awards ends at noon Oct. 10. The top 10 attractions will be named after the poll closes.

Using social media, the academy has encouraged people to vote for the school, which was founded in Annapolis in 1845. Officials posted a link to the contest on the academy's Facebook page Wednesday. The school was in 10th place at the time, but as of Thursday afternoon, it's in first.

Chestertown was in second Thursday afternoon. Downtown Annapolis was 11th. There are 20 nominees, including the American Visionary Art Museum and Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg and Assateague Island National Seashore in Berlin.

The academy is asking people to share photos and statements about why the academy should win, media relations director Jenny Erickson said.

Top attractions on the Yard include the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, Bancroft Hall, Memorial Hall, the Jewish Chapel/Levy Center, Dahlgren Hall and the Officer's Club, Erickson said.

Erickson also said a highlight is the Naval Academy's Chapel and the crypt of John Paul Jones, who is known as the father of the Navy. Another highlight is the statue of Tecumseh, and Tecumseh Court, where midshipmen gather at noon for formation Monday through Friday.

The academy offers tours and also has a visitor's center, complete with a gift shop. People can also dine on the Yard if they'd like, either at the Drydock Restaurant or in Dahlgren Hall. All proceeds from the shop, tours and restaurant go to support the school's brigade of midshipmen, according to the academy's website.